More and more women are joining the fight to get rid of “tampon tax,” or tax on tampons, sanitary pads and other feminine hygiene products.
READ: Are Organic Tampons Safer?
Now, some might argue that fighting to get rid of tampon tax is no more important that fighting to get rid of any other hygiene product, like soap. But, feminine hygiene is a little different, as these products (and taxes) only apply to women and there are several items, like groceries, that are already tax-free in certain states.
“Basically, we’re being taxed for being women. The economic effect is only felt by women, and women of color are particularly hard hit by this tax,” said Christina Garcia, Assembly member of California (District 58), in a press release.
In January 2016, Garcia (D) and fellow assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang (R) introduced a bill (AB1561) to make menstrual hygiene products exempt from sales tax in California.
Is your period a luxury?
New Jersey, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Massachusetts have already passed laws – the only states to do so – to make menstrual hygiene items tax free according to the site Fusion. But, 40 U.S. states still impose tax on feminine hygiene products as “luxury goods.”
In an interview with President Barack Obama, Youtuber Ingrid Nilson asked President Obama why there’s a “luxury tax” on feminine hygiene products.
“I have no idea why states would tax these as luxury items. I suspect [it’s because] men were making the laws when those tax were passed,” said President Obama.
Nilson went on to say she doesn’t know anyone who has a period that thinks it’s a luxury and President Obama said he thinks FLOTUS would agree.
The Wage Gap
According to AJ+, women with periods spend around $3,000 on feminine hygiene products throughout their lifetime. This makes the wage gap between women and men even wider, as men are least likely to purchase feminine hygiene products.
READ: Do You Make These 5 Common Tampon Mistakes?
At 54-63 cents to a white man’s dollar, the wage gap for women of color is the widest, according to HelloGiggles.com. So, not only are some women making less money than everyone else, they’re still paying taxes on items that are necessary and specifically marketed to them.
Garcia’s overall goal is for menstrual products to be free. This will then benefit all women, especially those who are homeless and cannot afford to purchase menstrual hygiene items.
New Bill
It was announced this month that lawmakers in D.C. will also introduce a bill that makes feminine hygiene products exempt from sales tax.
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